Any other relevant experience that we will consider on a case by case basis

To study CertMAP, you MUST be a member of the IMA with membership fees paid up to date. Find out more about membership and benefits here.

Is CertMAP recognised within the money advice sector?

CertMAP, is accredited by the Money Advice Service (MAS) to caseworker/specialist level.. Recognition from MAS means that CertMAP plays a key role in assuring quality of advice across the sector. Read more about MAS accreditation here.

Many organisations state CertMAP is an essential or desirable qualification in job recruitment.

What is IMA accreditation?

Unlike MAS accreditation, which accredits organisations, IMA accreditation is about the individual. We accredit members who pass CertMAP and allow them to use MIMA (Cert) after their name. IMA accreditation is evidence that the individual is a competent adviser and desirable to employers, funders and strategic partners.

Due to our strategic partnership with Staffordshire University, we are able to offer this 15 Credit Higher Education certificate at a significantly lower cost than equivalent HE qualifications.

The full cost of the course is currently £520 per student.

The Thames Water Trust Fund kindly provides bursary support. Currently, if you are working in the Thames Water region, you are eligible to apply for a bursary of £360, which means you will only have to contribute £160 towards the cost of studying CertMAP. This is subject to change with any price increase for the course.

The above bursaries are administered by the IMA. Please do not approach the trust funds directly.

The IMA has also allocated a small amount of its own funds to support advisers in exceptional circumstances who are unable to afford the full cost of study. This funding will be available on a first-come, first-served basis and priority will be given to those in greatest need. This support is for £320, meaning those receiving it pay only £200. To find out more, please email us at qualifications@i-m-a.org.uk.

When is the next cohort?

Applications are now open for the April 2019 CertMAP course – for further information and to request an application pack, please email us at qualifications@i-m-a.org.uk. The application deadline is 8 March 2019. Please be aware that places a places are limited and could be filled before 8 March.

The course starts on 8 April and the online examination will take place on and 13 July. Please note that you need to be an IMA member in order to apply.